AU2009100516A4 - Infection control station - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICANT: CORK, Brian INVENTION TITLE: INFECTION CONTROL STATION The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: - -2 INFECTION CONTROL STATION 5 Field of the Invention This invention relates to an infection control system. Whilst the invention may be applied to an infection control system to be utilised in 10 residential, commercial or industrial areas housing a large number of people such as shopping centres, hotels, public transportation vehicles and universities, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of an infection control system for use by hospital staff and visitors to prevent the acquiring or transferring of hospital acquired infection. 15 Background to the Invention Hospital acquired infection has become a matter of serious concern to health agencies and governments around the world given the ease in which infection can spread amongst individuals in close proximity to one another. 20 For this reason, significant research has been conducted to determine possible causal factors that may identify processes or methods to be implemented to minimise or potentially eliminate hospital acquired infection. Such research identified that the spread of hospital acquired infection between hospital staff, visitors and patients was 25 due to the lack of hygienic practices. In particular, the causal factors identified were those relating to inadequate hand washing and infection aspirated by infected individuals when coughing and sneezing. Within a hospital or health centre environment, sources of such infection are hosted 30 by staff, patients, and visitors to these centres. It is a continuous cycle of infection spreading from one individual to another by the simple act of sneezing, coughing, using unclean hands when eating or handling food, when attending to a new patient, or upon entering or exiting the hospital. These are mere examples of a way in which infection can spread as there is an endless list of causal factors all relating to 35 unhygienic practices. Many attempts have been made to mitigate such causal factors but the increase in infection rates suggest that the current attempts utilising various protocols within the -3 hospitals have not been successful in achieving any significant reduction in the incidence of infection. There is a substantial extent of literature regarding the methods, procedures or 5 processes intended to overcome the primary causes of hospital acquired infection. The many hours spent in training staff to follow alternative work methods have not produced the desired outcome. Given the hectic atmosphere in which hospital staff operate, it is often a cumbersome and time consuming act when for example, attempting to locate an area in which to wash ones hands after taking care of each 10 individual patient. Upon entering many health facilities, one will notice a plethora of signage posted for the purpose of reminding nurses, allied health staff and doctors about the importance of hand washing and aspirated-discharge protection, prior to attending each patient. 15 These notices are often placed on notice boards, side-by-side with other less important information effectively 'polluting' the visual field. In this way information blends together into a mass of words which remain for the most part unread. As a result, such postings of signs cannot serve as the reminder they were intended to be for very busy health workers who otherwise carry out their work with good intent. 20 In particular, ergonomic research has identified the limitation of humans relating to information processing, citing their capacity to process a maximum on average of about seven items of information at any one time. In a busy health care environment, this limitation can result in important elements of a process being omitted. 25 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention 30 In accordance with the invention there is provided an infection control system comprising of a holding means having information means, dispensing means, and disposal means, arranged to provide a product according to ergonomic principles to ensure vital information about sanitary practice is held at the forefront of each health worker's mind until it becomes an automatic action without further need for conscious 35 recall as they undertake their task of caring, and the holding means providing products at a ready ergonomic position relative to the information means, said products necessary to deal with general needs relating to nasal discharge, hand sanitisation and/or oral aspiration; whereby the infection control system can be readily provided in convenient locations around a hospital or the like. The invention in one form can be an infection control system comprising of a 5 removable and readily cleanable holding means in the form of a backing panel having a first upper area providing an information area; a second intermediate area below the first area providing a dispensing area; and a third lower area below the second area providing a disposal means wherein in use the user sees and reads the information at eye level, can readily obtain dispensing of articles at the hand level 10 and can readily dispose used articles by dropping into the disposal means at the lower level; whereby the infection control system ergonomically effects a sanitary practice result and itself can be readily cleaned onsite or offsite. The information area of the infection control system can include an that includes a 15 sensor and an active information display upon sensing a person in vicinity to automatically entice use of the infection control system. The dispensing area can include: a first central compartment; and a second central compartment with two side panels; whereby the first container provides for receipt of 20 a package for dispensing nasal tissues, the second container provides for face masks and the two side panels houses hand gel containers. Therefore the invention provides an infection control system comprising of a holding means in the form of a backing panel having a first upper area providing an 25 information area; a second intermediate area below the first area providing a dispensing area; and a third lower area below the second area providing a disposal means where in use the user sees and reads the information at eye level, can readily obtain dispensing of articles at the hand level and can readily dispose used articles by dropping into the disposal means at the lower level; whereby the infection control 30 system ergonomically effects a result. The infection control system can include: a framed area having information; a first compartment; a second compartment with two side panels; and an open cavity; whereby the first container provides for nasal tissues, the second container provides 35 for face masks and the two side panels houses hand gel containers and the open cavity provides a disposal unit.

-5 It can be seen that the invention provides an infection control system for use by individuals requiring assistance relating to nasal discharge, hand sanitisation or oral aspiration to further minimise and eliminate the transferring of harmful pathogens. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more readily understood embodiments will be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of an infection control system in accordance with the invention; 10 Figure 2 is a side diagrammatic view of the infection control system of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an illustrative photographic view of an embodiment of an infection control system in use. 15 Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Referring to the drawings there is shown an infection control system having the following elements: PRODUCT ELEMENTS 1 Product Name Plate 2 Client-approach Detection Transducer 3 Structural Support Mounting Panel 4 Static or LCD Information Panels 5 Client Information Audio Transducer 6 Nasal Tissues Carrier 7 Product Element Labels 8 Aspirated Air Masks Carrier 9 Sanitizing Gel Carrier 10 Disposable Waste Bag Ridge 11 Integrated Waste Container 12 Integrated Central Processor -6 FUNCTIONAL FEATURES I Plasticised Body 2 Injection Moulded Components 3 Aesthetic Presentation 4 Layout Self-advertises Purpose 5 Product Usage Measurement System 6 Low Product Alarms 7 Waste Build-up Alarm 8 Approach-activated Audit Messaging 9 Approach-activated Video Messaging 10 Central Communications Processor 11 Multi-point Secure Mounting System 12 Rapid Surface Mounting In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides for a means to minimise and possibly eliminate the risk of hospital acquired infection by providing for a holding 5 means in which various products allowing for hygienic practices can be installed in ready use by nurses, allied health staff, doctors and visitors. The infection control station consists of a flat backing panel which is rectangular in shape and of sufficient size to contain the necessary hygienic products whilst 10 drawing attention to a visitor or serving as a reminder to medical staff. The flat backing panel can be of different sizes and colours to provide a contrast to the colours used in the surrounding walls of the hospital to assist as a reminder. The flat backing panel carries on its face a framed area for insertion of procedural 15 information. The procedural information can include such information as instructions, the use and purpose of each of the products, potential risks to be aware of, or other related information or practices that can be implemented to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infection. In another embodiment, the framed areas can house a framed mirror or LCID screen.

-7 Below the flat backing panel is a first compartment providing for a container for carrying nasal tissues. This container is not limited to incorporating nasal tissues and can incorporate other useful products such as wet sanitary towels/wipes, etc. 5 A second compartment, located beneath the first container carrying the nasal tissues, provides for face masks with hand gel containers secured on both sides. Depending on the protocol implemented by the hospital the products housed by the second container can be altered as desired and may further include, but is not limited to disinfectants or cleaning agents, face masks, gloves, paper towels, hair nets etc. 10 Below this is an open cavity into which a plastic waste bag can be inserted. The cavity acts as a disposal unit allowing for used products from the infection control station including tissues and masks and excess gel, that may from time to time drip from hand gel container nozzles, to be safely and effectively disposed of. In providing 15 for such an open cavity, hospital corridors are free from litter and hospital staff are further able to dispose of used medical equipment such as catheters. It is envisaged that the different compartments may be organised as preferred housing different products as desired. The embodiment of the invention described 20 above has been functionally and ergonomically designed. It allows for hospital staff working in a busy and hectic atmosphere to effectively carry out simply but effective protocol to minimise the risk of hospital acquired infection. The product name is positioned at the top of the backing panel clearly identifying its 25 purpose. With an identifiable name/title, that can further be illustrated in multiple languages will assist an individual passing by in recognising the infection control station and highlighting its importance and objective in reducing the incidence of serious infection. In addition, a clear identifiable name reduces the need for a clutter of signage. 30 The colour of the product name will further assist in drawing attention to the infection control system. For example, a yellow product name on a black flat backing panel may assist in the effectiveness of the control system. However, this will depend on the hospital environment and can be altered as desired as many may consider black 35 to be too harsh. In such circumstances, an alternative dark grey version can offer less intense colour tones.

-8 As the features are ergonomically designed, the compartments can be easily accessed and the unit can be installed in convenient locations. Such convenient locations can include entry/exit points to a ward. In these locations it will present a constant reminder of the process required to be followed by all health workers and 5 visitors. These factors combined, in addition to the procedural information, will assist in making it known to visitors the objective and purpose of the control unit and the products housed in the different compartments. 10 In association with the infection control unit, hospitals can implement training and protocols to be undertaken by medical staff. This will further encourage users to take advantage of the conveniently located infection control unit. 15 The infection control station can be manufactured in such material as timber or plastic, however is not limited to such. In addition, the infection control station can have a completely smooth and robust finish to withstand application of cleaning products in routine use. 20 Given the extent of hospital acquired infection world wide, it is expected that this product will contribute to a reduction of hospital acquired infection and corresponding high costs of treatment and rehabilitation. While we have described herein a particular embodiment of an infection control 25 system, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 30

Claims (5)

1. An infection control system comprising of a holding means having a. information means, b. dispensing means, and 5 c. disposal means, arranged to provide a product according to ergonomic principles to ensure vital information about sanitary practice is held at the forefront of each health worker's mind until it becomes an automatic action without further need for conscious recall as they undertake their task of caring, and the holding means 10 providing products at a ready ergonomic position relative to the information means, said products necessary to deal with general needs relating to nasal discharge, hand sanitisation and/or oral aspiration; whereby the infection control system can be readily provided in convenient locations around a hospital or the like. 15

2. An infection control system comprising of a removable and readily cleanable holding means in the form of a backing panel having i. a first upper area providing an information area; ii. a second intermediate area below the first area providing a 20 dispensing area; and iii. a third lower area below the second area providing a disposal means wherein in use the user sees and reads the information at eye level, can readily obtain dispensing of articles at the hand level and can readily dispose 25 used articles by dropping into the disposal means at the lower level; whereby the infection control system ergonomically effects a sanitary practice result and itself can be readily cleaned onsite or offsite.

3. The infection control system of claim 2 including an information area that 30 includes a sensor and an active information display upon sensing a person in vicinity to automatically entice use of the infection control system. - 10

4. The infection control system of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the dispensing area includes: a. a first central compartment; and b. a second central compartment with two side panels; 5 whereby the first container provides for receipt of a package for dispensing nasal tissues, the second container provides for face masks and the two side panels houses hand gel containers.

5. An infection control system substantially as hereinbefore described with 10 reference to any one or more of the drawings.